Cricket News: Ireland VS Afghanistan, 1st T20I - Match Preview

The sides have faced off 18 times in this format, thus they are both familiar with one another. Afghanistan hopes to continue its impressive 14-win streak.

After sweeping Zimbabwe 3-0 in June, Afghanistan has only played three Twenty20 internationals in the last five months. Ireland, on the other hand, played South Africa, New Zealand, and India during a six-week period. Even though they dropped all seven of those T20Is, the knowledge and experience they would have gained from those games are priceless.

However, in a year of the T20 World Cup, the Irish absolutely need to convert their encouraging performances into triumphs. They will need to play spin better because Afghanistan's spinners all have a good track record against them.

This five-match series is important to game time for Afghanistan as they prepare to mount a serious challenge at this year's World Cup.

Ireland VS Afghanistan: Pitch Report

For teams batting second, the pitch at this location is ideal. So far, teams chasing have won 13 of the 21 T20Is. The team that wins the toss should attempt to bowl first because the average first-inning score in this park is 123.

First T20: Potential Playing XI for IRE VS AFG

Ireland: 1. Andy Balbirnie (c), 2. Paul Stirling (c), 3. Lorcan Tucker (wk), 4. Harry Tector, 5. Gareth Delany, 6. George Dockrell, 7. Curtis Campher, 8. Mark Adair, 9. Andy McBrine, 10. Barry McCarthy, 11. Josh Little

Afghanistan: 1. Mohammad Nabi (c), 2. Ibrahim Zadran, 3. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 4. Najibullah Zadran, 5. Hashmatullah Shahidi, 6. Hazratullah Zazai, 7. Karim Janat, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Naveen-ul-Haq, 10. Mujeeb ur Rahman/Fareed Ahmad, 11. Fazalhaq Farooqi

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